Leptospira ballum isolated from hedgehogs

Abstract

Abstract Extract This paper records the isolation of Leptospira ballum from the kidneys of five healthy hedgehogs caught on dairy farms near Kaitaia, Ngatea and Eltham. Serological evidence is presented to establish that a large proportion (56%) of hedgehogs from dairy farms had contracted the infection but only a negligible number of city hedgehogs. It is suggested that hedgehogs are a major reservoir for L. ballum in New Zealand.